NEWS FROM RALEIGH…
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NEWSLETTER INDEX
Around the District and More
Events
Action for Children
Legislative News
Senate Budget Overview
Ethics Tip
Hear and See Legislative Live Daily
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AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE
“The Ultimate Page Week” in the North Carolina Senate
The week of May 13th Senator Bryant and NC General Assembly were honored to have the following students serve as Pages.
James Alexander Averette, a student at Kerr-Vance Academy. He is the son of Curtis and Angela Averette of Henderson. James was sponsored by Senator Trudy Wade and appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger of Rockingham County. “I saw this week in the Page program as an opportunity to actually view how our political system works instead of just reading about it.”
Katherine Elizabeth Steg, a student at Kerr-Vance Academy. She is the daughter of Amy L. Johnson of Henderson. Katie was sponsored by Senator Phil Berger and appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger of Rockingham County. “During my time here, I learned and became more interested in the bills being sent to the House. I thoroughly enjoyed this week and I hope to do something like this again.”
Jamario Jamil Williams, a student at Southern Vance High School. He is the son of Simika Lyvette Williams of Henderson. Jamario was sponsored by Senator Angela Bryant and appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger of Rockingham County. “This week as been very enjoyable. I have met many people and everyone was so humble. The best part about being a Page was knowing that I am doing something that many teenagers don’t get to do.”
Jamera Annese Williams, a student at Roanoke Valley Early College. She is the daughter of James A. and Debra Williams of Weldon. Jamera was sponsored by Senator Trudy Wade and appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger of Rockingham County. “During this week I saw a lot of strange and different things. Some of the things I saw were very different from what I expected.”
Pictured on the left with Sen. Bryant is Katie Steg and pictured on the right is Jamera Williams, James Averette and Jamario Williams.
Decline in NC Teen Births Outpaces the Nation
Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of NC
TEEN BIRTHS DECLINE 27% IN 5 YEARS
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that North Carolina’s teen birth rate* declined 27% between 2007 and 2011. The decline outpaced the national decline in teen birth rates, which was 25% over the same period.
Declines in teen birth rates were even more dramatic among minority teens. Between 2007 and 2011:
• Teen births to Hispanic/Latino teens dropped 48%
• Teen births to African-American teens dropped 27%
• Teen births to white teens dropped 22%
The decline in teen birth rates is a direct result of record-low teen pregnancies, which researchers attribute to increased contraceptive use, the use of more effective contraceptives, and slight declines in the number of teens having sex.
The data does not reflect an increase in abortions. During the 5-year period covered by the CDC data report, abortions to North Carolina teens dropped nearly 40%.
*Note: The data covers teen birth rates, not teen pregnancy rates. National teen pregnancy rates take much longer to collect because each state has a different process for gathering pregnancy data.
2013 Municipal Elections Information
Candidate filing forms and information
Petitions for candidates and issues
Elections Calendar
2013 Municipal Election dates (G.S. 163-279(a))
July 5, 2013 – candidate filing period begins at noon – G.S. 163-291 G.S. 163-294.2
July 19, 2013 – candidate filing period ends at noon
September 10, 2013 (6:30am-7:30pm) – Primary for partisan municipal elections
October 8, 2013 (6:30am-7:30pm) – Non-partisan Primary and Election with Runoff
November 5, 2013 (6:30am-7:30pm) – Election Day (municipal elections and runoffs)
2014 Election Dates
July 5 – Candidates Filing Period – (noon)
July 19 – Candidates Filing Period – (noon)
May 6, 2014 – Primary Election Day – (6:30am-7:30pm) (G.S. 163-1(b))
November 4, 2014 – General Election Day – (6:30am-7:30pm) (G.S. 163-1(c))
November 14, 2014 – Canvass Day for County Boards of Elections (G.S. 163-182.5(b))
http://www.ncsbe.gov/content.aspx?id=61
EVENTS
- NC Freedom Monument Reception and Emancipation Proclamation Exhibition–The Board of the North Carolina Freedom Monument Project has embarked upon an ambitious project to set aside (an art and park) space in North Carolina’s State Capital where generations can meet to discuss our state’s history, and to celebrate and be inspired by symbolic representations of the struggle for freedom among all people. The place will be called “Freedom Grove.”
- Freedom Coming Freedom for All- Exhibit Opens– Dates: May 15-June 16, Location: NC Museum of History, More Information: Dianne Pledger (919) 224-0408 or dpledger@ncfmp.org
- The Legacy of Freedom Symposium– Date: May 31-June1, Time: 31st-9:00am-4:00pm, 1st-9:00am-12:00pm, Location: NC Museum of History, More Information: Dianne Pledger (919) 224-0408 or dpledger@ncfmp.org
- Traveling Exhibition Tour-Begins– Dates: July 2013-September 2015, Location: NC Museum of History, More Information: Dianne Pledger (919) 224-0408 or dpledger@ncfmp.org
- Lake Gaston Fabulous 50 Splash– The 50th anniversary celebration of Lake Gaston. Date: May 11-June 23, 2013, More Information at www.osail.org tab SPLASH.
- 24th Annual4-H Superball Golf Tournament – Date: June 7th, Time: 10:00am, Location: Scotfield Country Club, Enfield, Deadline Entries: May 10th. Contact: Joe Long (252) 583-5161 or email at joe_long@ncsu.edu.
- Lancaster Show Trip & Dutch Country Tour– Date: June 17th, Location: Warren County Senior Center, Contact: Sharon Henderson (252) 257-3112.
- Community for Unity Festival– Sponsored by Joy Community Development Corporation in conjunction with: Greater Joy Baptist Church (Pastor Shelton C. Daniel) and Word Tabernacle Church (Pastor James Gailliard). Blood Mobile, Rides, Jumpers, Live Music, Free entertainment, Free food and drinks. Admission = 1 can of food. Date: July 27, 2013, Location: Boone Street Park, 539 Eleanor Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, Contact: (919) 818-2850 or visit www.greaterjoymbc.org
- Join Rocky Mount Toastmasters Club #8957– Improve your leadership, presentation, & business/public speaking skills. Meeting Time: 6:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. Location: Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount 727 Grace Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Open to all. For more information e-mail ecmu2000@yahoo.com or call (252) 363-1032 and visit http://8957.toastmastersclubs.org.
- NC State University Summer Camps, applications and information links at www.gatewaytechnologycenter.com. For more information contact Angelena Kearney-Dunlap at 252-257-3115
- North Carolina Black Elected Municipal Officials – Date: July 25 – 28th, Time: 10:00, Location: Preconference Workshop, register on July 25th at Doubletree Hotel, Rocky Mount, NC. For more information and On-Line Registration: Visit www.ncbemo.org. www.ncbemo.org
Action for Children
Celebrating 30 Years of Advocating for Children – Action for Children North Carolina is turning 30 this year and we want you to help us celebrate! Since 1983, Action for Children has worked to improve the health, safety, education and financial security of North Carolina’s children and families.
Some of the shining accomplishments include:
- Over 140,000 children in North Carolina have gained access to health insurance through N.C. Health Choice.
- Since passage of the Child Bicycle Safety Act in 2001, the number of bicycle deaths of children under age 15 has declined by 60%.
- The state Earned Income Tax Credit has helped put more than $105 million back into local communities.
- Coalition efforts have resulted in a ban of corporal punishment in 98 of the 115 public school districts across North Carolina.
Do you know a Shining Star?
Action for Children is currently accepting nominations to honor individuals whose outstanding dedication and commitment have made North Carolina a better place to be and raise a child. Do you know someone who should be nominated for our Shining Star Award? Visit www.ncchild.org/event/join-our-celebration to submit an online nomination form by Friday, June 14, 2013.
Save the date!
Mark your calendars for our 30th anniversary celebration/Shining Star Award ceremony to be held on Wednesday, November 6, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. For information, please contact Beth Williamson, 30th Event Coordinator, at beth@ncchild.org or call 919.834.6623 ext. 235.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Adapted from Mary Bethel and Helen Savage, AARP North Carolina
Senate Shifts Funding for Aging Services – Need Your Action!
In a surprise move, the Senate budget shifts $2.9 million in funding from the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) which provides an array of in-home and community based services to keep persons 60 and older in their homes to Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty), a program which provides respite care and support services to families caring for persons with dementia. Aging advocates are concerned about this potential change as the proposed cut in the Block Grant comes on the heels of a $2 million dollar cut to this program due to the federal sequestration. Most of the persons receiving services are age 75+ and do not receive Medicaid, but they still have incomes too low to afford to cover the full cost of services. Approximately 60,000 people are helped today by the Block Grant through such services as home delivered meals, transportation assistance, and in-home aide services; however, due to the increased cost of service delivery, approximately 7,000 fewer persons are getting help today than ten years ago. There are large waiting lists for Block Grant services across the state. For example, 6,000 people are on the list waiting to receive home delivered meals.
In arguing against the cut to the Block Grant, aging advocates are quick to support Project C.A.R.E., but they make the point that when faced with almost a $5 million cut (Senate proposed cut plus sequestration reduction) many providers of local aging services will have to make drastic cuts in the services they provide. Not only will fewer people be served, many people will have reductions in the services they still receive, and agencies may have to lay off workers who provide the services.
ACTION NEEDED
The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will have responsibility for addressing issues related to funding for aging services. For this reason, we ask that you contact members of this Subcommittee now as well as Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake), Senior Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and relay the following message:
Please increase funding for the Home and Community Care Block Grant and for Project C.A.R.E, both of which help older adults in need. We ask that you oppose the Senate proposal to cut $2.9 million in funding for the Block Grant.
Information for contacting House members is as follows:
Rep. Nelson Dollar (Senior Comm. Chair) (919) 715-0795
Rep. Marilyn Avila (Subcomm. Chair) (919) 733-5530
Rep. William Brisson (Subcomm. Chair) (919) 733-5772
Rep. Mark Hollo (Subcomm. Chair) (919) 715-8361
Rep. Donny Lambeth (919) 733-5747
Rep. Susan Martin (919) 715-3023
Rep. Tom Murry (919) 733-5602
Rep. Beverly Earle (919) 715-2530
Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield (919) 733-5898
Rep. Carl Ford (919) 733-5881
Rep. James Fulghum (919) 733-5860
Rep. Verla Insko (919) 733-7208
Additional Senate Budget Provisions Impacting Seniors
Among the other provisions which particularly impact older adults in the Senate budget are the following:
- Appropriates $200,000 to replace lost federal funds so as to continue the current level of support for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
- Eliminates the waiver which allowed senior citizens age 65 and over who qualify as legal residents of North Carolina to take up to six hours of credit instruction and one course of non-credit instruction per academic semester at community colleges.
- Directs the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services to establish a pilot program in four to six counties to implement a tiered rate structure within the State-County Special Assistance program for individuals residing in group homes, in-home living arrangements, and assisted living residences. Language in the budget bill notes that it is the intent of the General Assembly to have this program to allow counties greater flexibility in serving individual needs within their communities and greater control over how county funds are used to support this program in light of the fact that the counties pay 50% of the costs of the program.
- Puts in place a three year moratorium (except under certain conditions) on new special care units which provide assisted living to persons with dementia.
- Eliminates the requirement for a previously required comprehensive report on medication-related errors in nursing homes.
- Allows person with dementia to receive up to 130 hours per month of Medicaid personal care services if they meet certain criteria.
- Creates a performance-based competitive block grant process to fund services historically provided by non-state entities funded through health and human service appropriations (N.C. Senior Games will now make application through this block grant for potential funding).
- Does not include a cost of living allowance for retired teachers and state employees (1% had been recommended by Governor McCrory).
Make Your Voice Heard
In the next weeks, both the Senate and the House will be debating their tax reform proposals. It is important that you contact your elected officials and let them know your position on potential tax changes. To reach your Senator or Representative call the General Assembly switchboard at (919) 733-7928 and asked to be connected to your legislator. If you do not know who your Senator or Representative is, go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx and follow the instructions.
Bills Still Eligible for Consideration
May 16 was the date in which legislation introduced this legislative session had to pass its chamber of origin to be eligible for further consideration this year or in 2014. This deadline did not apply to finance or appropriation bills. To see a list of the bills which met the crossover requirement, go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/documentsites/legislativepublications/Research%20Division/Crossover/Crossover%20List%202013.pdf.
Utility Commission Public Hearings
The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) is holding public hearings to weigh this year’s rate hike request by Duke Energy Carolinas. For residential consumers, Duke has asked for a rate increase of 11.8%, or more than $14 per month for the average customer. Duke has already received rate hikes of more than 30 percent during the last three years.
Duke’s latest request includes a $4.47 increase in the basic facilities charge (BFC), which hits lower usage customers hardest. If Duke’s request is approved, it will cost consumers more than $14 each month before they ever turn on a light. For older consumers, many of whom are on fixed incomes, Social Security increases have not kept pace with the size of the rate increase proposed. Older consumers and those of low income pay a higher percentage of their income for electricity than do other households.
AARP encouraging those who are concerned about the rate hike request, to speak out at the public hearings. Upcoming hearings are at:
Winston-Salem – June 19 (Wednesday), 7:00 pm, Forsyth County Courthouse, Courtroom 1C
Charlotte – June 26 (Wednesday), 6:00 pm, Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Courtroom 5310
Hillsborough – July 2 (Tuesday), 6:00 pm, Orange County Courthouse
If you cannot attend the hearings, please share your concerns with the N.C. Utilities Commission’s Chair, Ed Finley, by sending an e-mail to statements@ncuc.net.
Utility Rate Review Update
Duke Energy Carolinas’ 2012 rate increase will stay in effect as the N.C. Utilities Commission reviews it under order of the state Supreme Court. In April, the Court upheld the state Attorney General and the city of Durham claim, of which AARP filed a supporting “amicus” brief, that in allowing a 10.5% return on common equity, or profit margin, the Commission did not independently assess the increase’s effect on consumers. This week, the Commission refused Attorney General Cooper’s request to put the 7.2% rate increase on hold. The higher rate began in February 2012 and costs a typical residential customer an additional $7 a month.
TAG and TAX Together Program
Starting in mid-2013, North Carolina residents who own a vehicle will receive a combined bill by mail for vehicle property tax and vehicle registration renewal. The payment for the vehicle tag and county tax can be paid with one payment to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. For more information go to www.ncdot.gov/dmv and click on “Tag and Tax Together” or call (919) 814-1779.
Senate Budget High Level Overview
*** No pay raises or step increases for State employees, including highway patrol
*** Revises the law governing the lottery to remove the dedicated funding. Funds are still put in the Education Lottery Fund and are appropriated to the education purposes for the biennium, but no dedicated earmarks from the Lottery Fund anymore
*** Takes Gold LEAF funds dedicated to economic development in the rural areas of the state and to health services and puts them into the General Fund, permanently
I. Education
—Cuts over 4,000 classroom teachers
FY 13-14 ($286M) FY 14-15 ($246M)
—Cuts over 4,500 Teacher Assistants
FY 13-14 ($142M) FY 14-15 ($150M)
—Cuts Instructional Support Personnel
FY 13-14 ($17M) FY 14-15 ($17M)
—Funds Berger’s Public Education (no teaching positions, just assessments and summer camps)
FY 13-14 $18.5M FY 14-15 $35M
—$10.2 million in merit pay for teachers in FY 14-15; but revises tenure law per Berger’s plan
— Continues phase out of Teaching Fellows Program and the NC Center for Advancement of Teaching
—Increases Tuition in the Community Colleges
— Cuts UNC Need-Based grants
FY 13-14 ($27M) — will result in almost 10,000 fewer students receiving grants
II. Economic Development
—Eliminates GF support for Rural Center ($100M corpus left)
FY 13-14 ($16.6M) FY 14-15 ($16.6M)
—Eliminates GF support for Biofuels Center
FY 13-14 ($2M) FY 14-15 ( $4M)
—Eliminates GF support for Institute of Minority Economic Development
FY 13-14 ($2M) FY 14-15 ($2M)
—Eliminates GF support for Regional Economic Development Commissions
FY 13-14 ($2M) FY 14-15 ($2M)
—Raids Golden LEAF and Master Settlement Agreement payment permanently by $67.5 million each year– $137 million total each year to General Fund use (corpus of $750M)
—Establishes tobacco farmer trust fund in Agriculture as grants to farmers
FY 13-14 $2M FY 14-15 $2M
—Establishes Rural Economic Development Division in Commerce and gives funds for regional offices
FY 13-14 $10M (total both items) FY 14-15 $14M (total both items)
*** Cuts almost $100M in rural economic development and puts back less than $15M
III. Transportation
—Continues cuts to the rural areas of the State by eliminating the Secondary Roads program in the Highway Trust Fund and transferring funds to the Strategic Prioritization Program for congested, urban areas
FY 13-14 ($79M) FY 14-15 ($86M)
—Cuts the secondary road construction and unpaved secondary road paving programs in Highway Fund
FY 13-14 ($79M R; $15M NR) FY 14-15 ($79M)
—Eliminates the Mobility Fund program and transfers funds to the Strategic Prioritization Program
FY 13-14 ($58M) FY 14-15 ($58M)
IV. Justice and Public Safety
—Transfers 423 positions in SBI from AG to DPS (other than crime lab)
— Closes correctional facilities in Bladen, Duplin, Robeson, Wayne, Buncombe, Orange Counties and Western Youth (over 1,500 positions)
— Closes Lenoir Youth Development Center and Richmond and Buncombe Detention Centers (71 positions)
— Eliminates State contract with Prisoner Legal Services; appropriates funds for private attorneys to represent indigent
— Eliminates Special Superior Court Judges (12 positions; $2M both years)
—Eliminates the State grant to Butner Public Safety ($1.75M both years)
- V. Environmental
—Community Development Block Grants—federal funds
FY 13-14 $10.7M FY 14-15 $10.7M
(Senator Brown claims that they are spending $55M over two years in rural NC; that amount includes this $21.4M in that claim)
—Establishes new Water Infrastructure Authority
FY 13-14 $4M FY 14-15 $5.5M
—Clean Water State Revolving Fund of approximately $5 million both years
— Drinking Water State Revolving Fund — $1,255,720 NR in FY 13-14
—Establishes the Water and Land Conservation Authority that takes the place of both Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management Trust Fund –$12M both years
—Cuts Wildlife Resources Commission by 49% — ($9M) both years
- V. General Government
—Photo Identification at State Board of Elections
FY 13-14 $1.5M FY 14-15 $828,400
- VI. Health and Human Services
—Closes three state-funded alcohol- and substance abuse-treatment centers
FY 13-14 ($38M) FY 14-15 ($50M) (549 positions each year)
—Reduces funding for early intervention—children’s development services
FY 13-14 ($8M) FY 14-15 ($10M)
—Reduces funds for mental health prescription drugs
FY 13-14 ($5M) FY 14-15 ($7M)
—Cuts Services for inpatient hospital, dental, optical, podiatry, hearing aids, personal care services, nursing homes, adult care homes and drugs by setting up a “shared savings plan”
FY 13-14 ($31M) FY 14-15 ($50.7M)
—Reduces the maximum number of doctor visits for Medicaid recipients from 22 per year to 10 per year
FY 13-14 ($3.6M) FY 14-15 ($7.5M)
—Limits in-home rehabilitation visits to three per year
—Increases copayment for care and requires prior authorization for all mental health medications
FY 13-14 ($3.3M) FY 14-15 ($4.9M)
—Establishes regional rates for hospital care, requiring all hospitals to bill the same for comparable services
—Freezes rates for hospital outpatient treatment, nursing homes, and other automatic increases
— Reduces hospital outpatient payments to 70% of costs from 80% of costs
FY 13-14 ($20M) FY 14-15 ($50.7)
—Closes the Wright School, a 24-bed residential school for children with mental health or behavioral disorders.
FY 13-14 ($2.7M) FY 14-15 ($2.7M)
—Transfers Pre-K slots; 2,500 slots in the first year and 5,000 slots in the second year from N.C. Pre-K , the state’s preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds, to child care subsidy. The pre-k expansion authorized by Governor Perdue was not continued.
—Eliminates 48 jobs in the Oral Health Section at the Division of Public Health, saving about $2.9 million. Sends about $1.6 million of that money to local health department dental clinics.
Ethics Tips
A candidate or candidate campaign committee may use campaign contributions only for the following purposes:
1. Expenditures resulting from the campaign for public office by the candidate.
2. Expenditures resulting from holding public office.
3. Donations to a 501(c) organization provided that the candidate or the candidate’s spouse, children, parents, brothers, or sisters are not employed by the organization.
4. Contributions to a national, State, or district or county committee of a political party or a caucus of the political party.
5. Contributions to another candidate.
6. To return all or a portion of a contribution to the contributor.
7. Payment of any penalties against the candidate.
8. Payment to the Escheat Fund.
G.S. 163-278.16B
Please contact the State Board of Elections at 919-733-7173 or http://www.sboe.state.nc.us if there are any questions.
HEAR AND SEE LEGISLATURE LIVE DAILY
You don’t have to miss the Legislative Session. WRAL will live stream legislative sessions daily on their website.-www. wral.com. Also, please remember that you can listen to some committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select “Audio,” and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room. You can also view the bills I sponsor and co-sponsor from this website address.
Contact: Senator Angela R. Bryant, North Carolina Senate • District 4•
North Carolina General Assembly • State Legislative Office Building • 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 520, Raleigh, NC 27603 • 919-733-5878-P • 919-754-3289-F •Angela.Bryant@ncleg.net or
Karon Hardy, Legislative Assistant at bryantla@ncleg.net.